Hipsters Don’t Know: The Bad Plus

This is an awesome song! Video of a live performance of the Bad Plus performing, “Anthem of the Earnest”, off their 2005 album Suspicious Activity?.

Who is The Bad Plus, you ask? Are they a pop- and rock-influenced jazz trio? Or are they a power trio who like to play jazz? It’s really a bit of both.

What is impressive is that the trio manages to sound contemporary using only piano, bass, and drums, and without resorting to electronic gimmicks. This band is compelling and their albums are great listens featuring interesting cover songs. Pick them all up.

It’s hard to really put much more into it. It’s really an experience to be listened to,  not spoken about.

Just lettin’ y’all hipsters know.

-STAN

Hipsters Don’t Know: Volta Masters

Volta Masters featuring Clever “Just In Love”

Volta Masters "Change"

The Japan-based Volta Masters is so smooth! The Picked up their album Change a while ago. They use very well-known samples and flip them into dope loungy, jazzy, hip-hop grooves. I could listen to this album for days. Highlights on the album are the above-mentioned “Just In Love” (using a sample that Common used on “Resurrection”),  “Chronicle” (using a sample from Slick Rick’s “Da Art of Storytellin’”), “Dream” (using a sample from Debarge’s “Stay With Me”), “Mr. Lawrence” and “I Like It (P.O.H. Remix)”. Pretty much the album is an awesome listen. Highly recommended. I plan to pick up their other stuff.

Volta Masters “Inochi No Namae (Radio Mix)”

Just lettin’ y’all hipsters know.

-STAN